NFL news roundup: Charles Tillman done for the year, Dez Bryant explains early exit

The Bears will be without a top defensive back, while Dez Bryant explained what happened on Sunday.

Dec 16, 2013, 9:43 PM UTC

Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.

The Chicago Bears are poised to make the playoffs in 2013, but their path will be a little more difficult without cornerback Charles Tillman.

Head coach Marc Trestman addressed the media on Monday, and he explained that Tillman hadn’t fully recovered from tearing his triceps. The veteran cornerback will not return from injured reserve, missing the remainder of the 2013 regular season and playoffs.

It’s unclear whether Tillman will return to the Bears in 2014. He is in the final year of seven-year deal signed in 2007, and he could have taken his last snaps in Chicago.

Dez Bryant left the field due to tears

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant wears his emotions on his sleeve, and explained that his decision to leave the field early in the team's loss to Green Bay was due to being moved to tears -- unable to watch the Packers close out the game.

“I’m a team guy. I extremely, extremely apologize for leaving, but my teammates and coaches understand. I’m a very emotional player and we didn’t finish. It had nothing to do with my teammates. We fought. I couldn’t watch Green Bay kneel that ball down.”

Bryant spoke to the media on Monday, saying he is a “very emotional player.” This isn’t the first time the mercurial wide receiver has reacted on the sideline, yelling at his teammates following the Cowboys’ loss to Detroit.

Titans will evaluate Mike Munchak’s future

The Tennessee Titans may have been eliminated from playoff contention, but head coach Mike Munchak showed a knack for motivating his team to play hard. In Week 15 this manifested as a 17-point comeback, but it wasn't enough -- losing in overtime to the Arizona Cardinals.

Team president Tommy Smith said he would wait until the end of the 2013 season to make a determination on Munchak, but may have tipped his hand when he told The Tennessean about the importance of winning and speaking about how being close isn’t enough.

Munchak has been below .500 since becoming head coach in 2011, posting a 20-26 record.

Victor Cruz could miss remainder of 2013

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz could miss the remainder of the 2013 season after sustaining a concussion in the team's Week 15 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Cruz caught a high pass in the third quarter before being upended by two defenders, causing him to fall on his head. Head coach Tom Coughlin was unclear on his top receiver’s status, but if he is unable to return, it will be the first season in three years Cruz has been unable to eclipse 1,000 yards,

Cam Newton’s injury is not serious

The Carolina Panthers had a scare on Sunday when quarterback Cam Newton left the field in pain shortly before halftime against the New York Jets.

Newton attempted to scramble and was caught from behind by defensive end Sheldon Richardson. His leg was twisted under him, but Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said it was not serious. Initially it appeared the injury occurred to Newton’s knee; however, it was a toe injury that did not require an X-ray.